Canada's New Government Announces Funding for Major Health Projects in Haiti

Haiti - During an official visit to Haiti, the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, today announced that Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will commit over $45 million for new health-related development projects and a further $20 million for a financial insurance mechanism in the event of natural disasters.

"It is crucial to facilitate access to health services for the most vulnerable segments of the Haitian population, including women, and to offer access to more basic services in the areas of health, prevention and protection of human rights," stated Minister Verner. "These initiatives will have direct positive impact on the Haitian population."

The funds will be earmarked for three major projects affecting the Haitian health sector:

• $18.75 million for a project to support the development of Haiti's health system;
• $17.5 million for a project to support the Expanded Program on Immunization;
• $9.2 million in response to the United Nations Transitional Appeal.

These announcements demonstrate Canada's commitment toward establishing a sustainable collaboration with the Haitian Government and civil society in order to improve the health system in Haiti.

"Without a doubt, the Government of Canada's financial contribution clearly shows its willingness to support the Government of Haiti's efforts to provide the Haitian people with improved access to basic health services," stated Mr. Jean Max Bellerive, Haitian Minister of Planning and Foreign Cooperation.

Minister Verner also announced $20 million to establish a Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility in the Caribbean, where Haiti is located. This World Bank-led project will insure that government members of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) can provide for immediate needs in the aftermath of a major natural disaster.

The funding announced today is part of the $520 million commitment Canada made at the international conference held in Port-au-Prince last July to support the Haitian government's efforts to lead Haiti's development.


Information:
Nicole Lascelle
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Canada's Contribution to New Health Projects

• $18.75 million, over five years, to the Health System Development Support Project (PADESS) which will contribute to the integrated and coherent development of the country's health system , notably in the departments of Artibonite, Nippes, the Southeast and Northeast. Haiti's health services are now delivered by the government, the private sector, religious communities, and Haitian and international voluntary organizations. PADESS will strengthen the Ministry of Public Health and Population's regulatory role and will develop a vision shared by these various health sector stakeholders. The project will include $5 million to support initiatives of Canadian partners to deliver basic health services.

• $17.5 million, over five years to Haiti's Expanded Vaccination Program Support Project (PAPEV) to reduce infant mortality. PAPEV three components:

1) $15 million to support a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) program which will build capacity and coordinate the work of the organizations giving the vaccinations;

2) $1 million to the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for research to improve the health system's delivery of immunization programs;

3) $1.5 million to support an initiative involving Haiti, Brazil and Canada which will strengthen the Ministry of Public Health and Population's Expanded Vaccination Program and improve the delivery of vaccines through a refrigerated distribution chain.

• just over $9.2 million to the United Nations Appeal to Support Haiti's Stabilization to promote equality between men and women and social peace in Haiti. Major short-term (12-18 months) investments will be made that will obtain significant results and quickly improve the well being of beneficiaries. The project will support six initiatives:

1) $5 million to PAHO for free obstetrical care for poor pregnant women;

2) $520,000 to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for human rights protection for people living in vulnerable situations;

3) $1.2 million to the UNFPA to support and protect women and girls who are victims of sexual violence;

4) $920,000 to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for horticulture projects in the urban areas of Port-au-Prince and Jérémie;

5) $1.4 million to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to support human development in the Haiti - Dominican Republic frontier zone;

6) $125,000 to the UNDP to support the coordination of humanitarian and relief efforts. There is also $50,000 allocated to monitor results.

• $20 million for a World Bank initiative to establish the Catastrophic Risk Management Facility (CCRIF) in the Caribbean region which will enable the governments of member countries of the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) to purchase coverage similar to business interruption insurance to provide immediate cash payment after the occurrence of a major earthquake or hurricane. Because of the urgency at which a claim payment will be processed, the instrument will be particularly useful to finance the immediate post-disaster recovery, giving the affected government time to mobilize additional resources for longer-term reconstruction activities.

Information:
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca